How to make a demon lord (part two)

"...I did of course warn them of this beforehand, told them that if I split a fraction of my power and gave it to them, there would be no telling what it would do to them, by then it would be out of my control. But they agreed to my terms regardless."

Slowly, I nod, processing this information as I try my best to get a basic understanding of the situation. It seems simple enough, and the Devil's explanation certainly got to the point: he shared a fraction of his power with them for their loyalty and obedience to him and his kingdom, and in turn the Ethereum mutated them as they did him. It began moulding them into powerful creatures of the Downside, shaping them, reforming people of far greater calibre than the other demons that reside here. It is that shared fraction of power with the devil that gives them such a great authority over the Downside and contributes to their powers.

Yes, that is easy enough to understand.

But for some reason, my mind is still buzzing with questions- a noise of words and questions all without answers battling for dominance inside my mind. It is almost unbearable. With a sideways glance in my direction as we trail through the lengthening corridors, Valerian gives my hand a little squeeze.

"Go on, you can ask," he prompts, clearly sensing the enthusiasm bubbling inside me, a myriad of unanswered questions gnawing at my insides. I barely even give him enough time to breath as I burst out with a low whisper- for fear of being heard:

"Do you think they agreed to it for the power? That perhaps they wanted what you had?" I press curiously, not really sure of the answer I will be getting, but inquisitive all the same. After all, if such an offer was hosted by my mother in Vriryn, I have no doubt there would be swarms of nobles grovelling at her feet for an opportunity to gain such a tremendous amount of power and glory. There would be none in the land who would turn down such a monumental offer.

Such divine might would put them leagues above the other inhabitants of Vriryn, maybe even any of the inhabitants of the Upper Realm, aside from the Demon Slayers of course. They are always in a league of their own, whether anyone likes it or not.

Valerian muses on this for a second, his pace slowing as he contemplates over the matter. A few butlers nod to us as we pass, but in his daze he hardly notices.

"Well, Tarquin and Dreyfus certainly do not come into that category. They were the first of the demon lords I ever created, they have been by my side for over a thousand years. The deals they made with me were made out of compassion, not spite, or greed, so I think it is safe to say otherwise for them," he affirms, scratching his chin lightly with the tips of his fingers. As an oncoming hoard of maids swing by with a trolley, Valerian presses us both to the wall, allowing them to pass with apologetic smiles.

He continues.

"But the two other demon lords- Nora and Aurelius, are newer demons, a little more volatile. Their reasons for making a deal with me were twisted in jealousy and hatred for their peers and family than out of wanting to make better of the world. They were not... happy people when they came to me."

A deep scowl crosses my face. A scowl I can tell Valerian has noticed when his eyes linger upon my face a fraction too long.

"So like me then? I wasn't happy when I came to you either."

Valerian cuts of that thought with a shake of his head.

"No, chérie, not like you. Your mother may have practically tortured you for the best part of your life, but you remained compassionate, caring for your friends, and a father you had barely met. They loved you, and you loved them, it kept you grounded, sane- even your little expeditions to find my entrances to the Downside," he says, looking over to me, his eyes glittering. A quiver of cold runs through me, promptly followed by a flush of embarrassment. Winding my hands together, I look away.

"You knew about that?" I ask with a fearful softness, not daring to look at him for fear of what I might see there. The Devil chuckles lightly to himself, squeezing my hand once more. My flush furthers.

"I know many things, Princess. But as I have proven to you, you did not lack morality and compassion. Yet when Nora and Aurelius found me, they were bitter right down to the core. Their auras were ice cold."

Puzzled, I furrow my brow, anxious to be off the conversation about my previous searches for the holes to hell. There is something about discussing it in front of the man and the myth himself which makes my face flush with embarrassment, as though the act itself was lewd or inappropriate, despite the fact I know perfectly well its fucking not.

So instead I focus my attention to the prospect of the auras- a persons energy or magic that is invisible to the naked eye, and wonder how on earth Valerian managed to see it. Perhaps another one of his seemingly illimitable powers. Briefly I wonder over whether he can see mine. If he can, he doesn't answer.

"But," I start up again, my mind still swimming with questions. "If you knew they were like that, why did you allow them to be demon lords and ladies? Surely you knew it would cause you trouble?"

To this Valerian nods, silent for a moment. Smiling, he accepts the bows of passing demons who wave him down the corridors as he walks, all bright and chirpy, their eyes alight with an awful glee. I avert my gaze.

"Indeed." Valerian admits. "It was a huge risk on my part. But I knew they would be powerful. The Ethereum latches to raw emotions, harbours in it, whatever it may be. It makes us strong. They had a lot of potential, but the two of them have always been slightly… volatile. You see-"

Valerian is cut short swiftly by a passing Butler.

"Valerian!" The butler calls across the corridor, pale face bright and orange eyes wide, startling Valerian out of his train of thoughts.

I am surprised to find how amiable they all are to Valerian, how chirpy, how smiling- not the menacing creatures I had imagined to meet when coming down here- at least, not in terms of personality.

"Good morning Lord Valerian!" they call out as we pass, nodding politely to us as they raise cups of tea on trolleys and trays. He smiles broadly, flashing pearly white teeth that don't glisten with blood, but instead a cheerful joy that the Upper Realm seems to sorely be lacking.

"A fine young lady you have with you! Would you like some tea sent to the meeting room?"

"That would be marvellous, thank you," Valerian replies, stalling a bit to pat them on the back, giving a dizzying smile of pearly whites before resuming his trek down the corridor with me in tow. So friendly, I muse to myself, glancing back to the butler whose face is flushed red with embarrassment or joy or both. The nobles of the upper world are never like that.

"Were you expecting them to want to eat you or something? Expecting vicious, cruel creatures that would like to tear you limb from limb?" Valerian chuckles, prodding me gently in the side as we pass a few more residents of the Downside, robed and dressed in finery and beautiful silk cloth that shimmers against their bodies, flowing from their figures like waterfalls. They all look gorgeous- sure it may be a different sight to the eye, but there is no denying that, just in the same way Valerian commands an air of respect and dignity around him, the inhabitants of the Downside do the same. Looking back at the lords and ladies of the palace as we pass, all at once feeling inferior, I whisper:

"No, but I, well, didn't expect them to be so refined." Valerian chuckles once more, his hand squeezing tighter still around me. His thumb brushes over the skin of my palm soothingly.

"Ah, my young Elowyn. Lest you forget all these demons were once human like you. They merely have embraced the Ethereum down here and their bodies have changed with it. Some more than others, but none are unhappy. They live a good life, with the luxuries that you or I would want provided. Besides," he adds, giving me a sly wink.

"I think you are the finest down here."

There is no hint of a joke in his voice, and yet I cannot see it otherwise. Me? Fine? Elegant? Now those are some words I have never heard together. Upon realising I don't quite believe him, Valerian adds under his breath:

"I mean it."

The conviction in his whisper is so evident it's almost shocking, and yet the words are barely a breath against the air, wisping away as soon as they are voiced. For a minute, I almost think I imagined them.

And then he squeezes my hand once more, and all at once a vision flashes across my eyes...